Philosophy 25A

This course is a general introduction to the central philosophical doctrines of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. We will focus on the ethical, metaphysical, and epistemological doctrines of these philosophers, with an emphasis on the methodology they use in arguing for their conclusions. Among the issues we will discuss are their views of the best human life, the nature of the soul, the fundamental constituents of reality, scientific explanation, and the difference between knowledge and true belief. In addition to attempting to understand the views of these philosophers and why they held them, we will critically assess the merits of the views in question. Thus, this course also doubles as an introduction to philosophy. As such, it presupposes no background in philosophy.